First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1cry
verb \ˈkrī\
: to produce tears from your eyes often while making loud sounds because of pain, sorrow, or other strong emotions
: to shout or say something loudly
of a bird or animal : to make the loud sound that is usual for a particular type of bird or animal
criedcry·ing
Full Definition of CRY
transitive verb
1
: to utter loudly : shout
3
: to proclaim publicly : advertise <cry their wares>
intransitive verb
1
: to call loudly : shout
3
: to utter a characteristic sound or call
4
: to require or suggest strongly a remedy or disposition <a hundred things which cry out for planning — Roger Burlingame>
— cry havoc
: to sound an alarm
— cry over spilled milk
: to express vain regrets for what cannot be recovered or undone
— cry wolf
: to give alarm unnecessarily
See cry defined for English-language learners
See cry defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of CRY
Middle English crien, from Anglo-French crier, from Latin quiritare to make a public outcry, perhaps from Quirit-, Quiris, Roman citizen
2cry
noun
: a loud sound that someone makes to express pain, hunger, sadness, etc.
: something that is said loudly : a shout or call
: a loud sound made by an animal or bird
plural cries
Full Definition of CRY
1
2
a obsolete : proclamation b plural Scottish : banns
4
: a loud shout
6
a : common report b : a general opinion
7
: the public voice raised in protest or approval
8
: a fit of weeping
9
: the characteristic sound or call of an animal
10
a : a pack of hounds b (1) : pursuit —used in the phrase in full cry <hounds in full cry> (2) : a peak of activity or excitement —used in the phrase in full cry <a campaign in full cry>
See cry defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CRY
13th century
CRY Defined for Kids
1cry
verb \ˈkrī\
criedcry·ing
Definition of CRY for Kids
1
: to shed tears : weep
3
: to utter a special sound or call <We could hear gulls crying through the fog.>
2cry
noun
plural cries
Definition of CRY for Kids
1
: a loud call or shout (as of pain, fear, or joy)
2
: 1appeal 2 <a cry for help>
3
: an act or period of weeping <When she left, I had a good cry.>
4
: the special sound made by an animal <a hawk's cry>
Learn More About CRY
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up cry? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).